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JRN 440 Adv. Online Journalism Vector file formats for print and projected

JRN 440 Adv. Online Journalism Vector file formats for print and projected. Wednesday, 2/22/12. Class Objectives. Neat Trick Lecture Vector File Formats for Print and Projected Why we care to learn about vector, http://actualobjects.com/collections/economic-bailout-information-graphics

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JRN 440 Adv. Online Journalism Vector file formats for print and projected

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  1. JRN 440Adv. Online JournalismVector file formats for print and projected Wednesday, 2/22/12

  2. Class Objectives • Neat Trick • Lecture • Vector File Formats for Print and Projected • Why we care to learn about vector, http://actualobjects.com/collections/economic-bailout-information-graphics • Homework • Ex. 4 and 5 due by 2:05 pm 2/29/12

  3. Vector Graphics • Definition= The creation of digital images through a sequence of commands or mathematical statements that place lines and shapes in a two-dimensional or three-dimensional space. • Made up of individual objects • These objects are defined by mathematical equations not pixels (“smart”) • Each object has individual properties assigned to it such as color, fill, and stroke.

  4. Vector Graphics • Resolution Independent • What does this do? Vector images always render at the highest quality... Whether stamped sized or billboard sized • Crispness of lines and shapes no matter what size • No “jagged” edges when you enlarge

  5. Vector Graphics Characteristics • Good for drawing shapes, lines, polygons, texts • Reduces detail of photographs • BUT, images are cartoon-like • Easier to manipulate as objects remain as individuals (not flattened into a painting) • Resolution independent • Can scale to any size • Final vector file can be any shape • Not restricted to rectangular format • Usually smaller file size than raster

  6. Questions • Remember “dumb” or “smart” files of each • 1. Can I easily convert my raster file to a vector file? • Not easily • Can use live trace in Illustrator, but not really good results • Most will “trace” using the Pen Tool • 2. Can I easily convert my vector file to a raster file? • Yes, <File <Export

  7. 2d Vector File Formats • Native: .ai (Illustrator), .fla (Flash) • Most commonly used for printing: EPS • Can contain raster images “wrapped” within them • Next best thing is to use a PDF • As of 2009, an open standard for printable documents on the Web (free to use) • Can contain vector images within them (e.g. text and paths) as well as raster elements • But it’s best to know how these files were originally created • If originally raster, they’ll remain raster • If originally vector, they’ll remain vector but you might lose text paths • If hybrid, when imported/opened in a software, will have both

  8. 2d Vector File Formats • “De-facto” printing standard for CAD files: .dxf/dwg, (owned by Autocad) • Other files that are used are .iges, .step • Web standard: .svg (static and for animation) • May need a Plug-in to see (depends on browser) • Written in XML • “De-facto” web standard: .swf • The Flash plug-in is on almost all browsers

  9. 3d Vector File Formats • Native: .3dm (Rhino), .3ds (3d Studio Max), .DWG (AutoCAD), (Maya, Sketchup, ProE, AutoCad) • For 3d models: • From Autocad alone: • DXF (drawing exchange format) between software • DWF (design web format) for Web • .u3d (supported by Adobe, works in Photoshop) • For previewing on web pages: .x3d and .vrml (standards) • Need a plug-in to see these

  10. Which file format to use? • If moving from one vector software to another • eps or pdf • dwg • 3ds • If printing, pdf and eps are safe bets • But ask your printer what they want • If on-line and have plug-ins installed, • swf for 2d • x3d for 3d

  11. File Management:Moving your design project and files • Why would you move your project and files? • If you are going to have it professionally printed • If you’re going to another computer • If you’re handing it off to someone else and they need to open the project

  12. File Management:Moving graphic files • In many cases, you will need to transform your file into a non-native format • Native is .MAX, .FH, .PSD • Non-native is EPS, PDF, TIFF, JPG, GIF, PNG, SVG, DXF, DWG • Remember!!! Always save a native version of your design.

  13. File Management:Moving your design project and files • If you will be moving your project, you need to move ALL files associated with it • Image and data files • All vector (2d, 3d) • All raster (skins, rendered files) • Design (html, page-layout files like qxd) • Misc. files (“readme”, pre-flight checklist, fonts)

  14. Converting/ moving graphic files • Also called “porting” • Porting = Translating software to run on a different computer and/or operating system • Difference between <File <Open and <File <Import or <Place • Think about how InDesign does this • Place is simply linking (not porting) files • You’ll need to include them when you move the job

  15. Porting • 1st Need to consider how is data stored or created? • Raster vs. vector (metafiles) • 2d vector vs. 3d vector • 2nd What software are you using to port into? • Illustration program = Illustrator • Image Editor = Photoshop • Some software packages can handle porting of native formats • Adobe suite products – Photoshop can port (by simply opening) Illustrator’s native format

  16. Porting Raster files • What do you have to worry about with moving raster files? • RESOLUTION BASED!!! • A raster file on a web page is ~72 dpi, for print it should be 600 dpi for b/w, 300 for grayscale and color • Do NOT trust your monitor when it displays your raster file • NEVER “scale” up raster in Illustrator or InDesign to more than 200% and try to print it out. • Do scaling in PhotoShop (and upsampling is still not a good idea here)

  17. Porting vector files • 1st, what is your original vector file • 3d • 2d • What software used, version of software • 2nd, where are you moving it to? • 3d • 2d • What software to open/import • Where is the final “viewing” place? • Web or monitors (loss of control over certain things… think colors on monitors) • Print (non-3d quality)

  18. Porting vector files • What do you have to worry about? • Almost everything… regardless of where moving to (3d to raster, 3d to 2d, 3d to 3d, etc.) • Biggest problem = some software will import or open certain files, some will not • Check ALL that you have access to! • Color shifting • Especially if your final output is print! • Losing details of your original design • Strokes (too little, too big, lost altogether) • Rendering (skinning, lights, colors)

  19. Porting vector files • Losing details • Shapes not coming through • Getting distorted • Disappearing altogether • Shifting in terms of x,y,z planes (which are important on maps, cad drawings) • Fonts • Certain letters missing • Not coming up as letters at all • “Extra” features of software • Transparency in Illustrator • Layers

  20. Porting vector files • What do you NOT have to worry about? • Resolution (yeah!)… vector files are resolution independent. • Again? Why is it so difficult to move vector versus raster? • Raster files are just pixels • Vector files have tons on info. in them

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